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In this charming picture book story distilled from Ben Feller’s own experience as a single parent, a dad counsels his son not to sweat the small stuff, and later the boy gives that counsel right back to his panicky dad. This is a children and dads story about a secret handshake, life’s daily challenges, the wisdom of kids, and love conquering frustration.

Ben Feller is a communications advisor and a former award-winning chief White House correspondent for The Associated Press. During his years of covering Presidents Barack Obama and George W. Bush, he was a leader of the White House press corps, traveled aboard Air Force One around the world, and was honored as a “master of deadline reporting.” Now he is writing about his personal passion: being a dad. This is his first book.

Mercè López graduated from Llotja Art School in Barcelona, Spain, and has illustrated for design, theater, and film as well as forty children’s books. Her illustrations for I Am Smoke (Tilbury House, 2021) were called “lustrous” and “exquisitely beautiful” in a starred review by Kirkus.

“Sweet and lovely. Seamlessly weaves ‘big’ topics—perspective, frustration, patience—into a charming narrative that highlights the magical bond between father and son.” - Savannah Guthrie, co-anchor of the NBC morning news show Today and co- author of Princesses Wear Pants and Princesses Save the World

“This wonderful story focuses on the bidirectional aspect of a good relationship between a dad and his child, in which they learn from each other.” - Christopher Brown, president of the National Fatherhood Initiative

“Where was Ben Feller when I was raising little kids?!” - Jim Axelrod, senior national correspondent for CBS News and author of In the Long Run: A Father, A Son, and Unintentional Lessons in Happiness

“Beautifully shares social and emotional strategies that will benefit all kids.” - Debbie Reber, parenting activist and author of Differently Wired: Raising an Exceptional Child in a Conventional World

“A heartwarming tale.” - Ron Fournier, author of Love That Boy: What Two Presidents, Eight Road Trips, and My Son Taught Me About a Parent’s Expectations

“Relatable, honest, enjoyable.” - San Francisco Book Review

“I could not have found a more relatable book if I tried. There is truly so darn much to love about this amazing book and its lovely detailed illustrations.” - Books Grow Minds

Big Problems, Little Problems